Ricky Ponting
There have been reports in the cricketing circle that the Australian captain Ricky Ponting might retire after the World Cup. This report comes from the fact that two days back an unnamed official from Cricket Australia commented that perhaps it was the right time for Ponting to step down.
Amazingly Ponting himself has admitted that he might prefer to retire from international cricket before Cricket Australia sacks him. Meanwhile Australia’s Cricketer’s Association boss Paul Marsh has condemned the fact that an official from Cricket Australia should leak such confidential news as the sacking of the captain just before the quarter finals.
He says, ”Firstly, if a senior official is going to make such inflammatory comments about our national captain, and one of this country’s greatest-ever players, how about having the guts to at least put your name to them. Secondly, the team is two days away from one of its biggest games in recent memory and now they have to deal with the speculation and discussion surrounding these irresponsible comments.”
”I’ve been scratching my head all day trying to work out why someone associated with CA would make these comments two days before a World Cup quarter-final.”
Incidentally Ponting has an amazing support from his team mates who’ve come out and spoken in his favor. As for Mitchell Johnson, ‘‘He’s a guy we all look up to. He’s copped a fair bit lately and he’s dealing with it in his own way. He’s got that experience to be able to deal with it. I don’t think he’s thinking about it too much, he’s just worried about this next game. The guys are there to support him. Everyone needs support at times in their lives and he is getting support from everyone. He is a tough character but he enjoys that support.”
Mike Hussey too was very much in favor of Ponting saying that “From my point of view he’s the best man for the job, and has been our leader for a long time. He’s been doing the job … so from my point of view I hope that is all untrue. He’s certainly got the full support of all the team. We love having him as our captain.”
Recently Andrew Hilditch, Chairman of National Selection Committee, had extended his support for Ponting, saying that there are very few players who can continue for long and Ponting was one of them. Hilditch goes on to say, “He is still our very best fielder – it’s hard to imagine he is 36. If anyone is going to play for a long time I think Ricky Ponting has the potential to.”
With the comments from all ends sorted in place, the only immediate conclusion one can make is , in case Australia lose out in the Quarter Finals Ponting might prefer to resign of his own accord before the selectors take the call, which is something he has already pointed at . However in case Australia win the match and may be if they go on to win the Cup , the selectors will definitely have no choice but to continue with the already two time World Cup winning captain.
Tags: Australia, CA, Captain, Cricket, Cricket Australia, Quarter Final, Ricky Ponting, World Cup
